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St. Paul Saints

St. Paul, MN – Behind a five-run seventh inning, the Sioux Falls Canaries took the series opener at CHS Field against the St. Paul Saints, 7-4.

For the first time since July 4, the Canaries didn’t allow a run in the first inning, as Troy Marks worked around back-to-back two-out singles from the Saints to keep St. Paul scoreless.

But St. Paul would take the early lead in the bottom of the second on John Kristoffersen’s bloop single, scoring Tony Thomas from second.

The Canaries left runners on the corner in the top of the third, but Blake Schmit’s RBI single tied things up at one in the top of the fourth, scoring Ty Morrison from second.

Chris Jacobs gave the Birds the lead in the top of the sixth with his league-leading 15th home run of the season, but the Saints tied it up in the bottom of the inning on an error.

Back-to-back singles put runners on the corners with one out for St. Paul, before a throwing error by Brett Marr allowed a run to score. But Andrew Woeck got a strike em out throw them out double play to end the threat with the score tied at two.

Marks finished with a season-high eight strikeouts, allowing two runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings pitched, taking a no-decision in the win.

And in the top of the seventh, the Canaries would strike back to take the lead and put up a crooked number on the scoreboard.

Though Jason Creasy retired the first two batters, the next three reached on a double and two walks to load the bases for Jabari Henry. St. Paul made a call to the bullpen, bringing in Brandon Peterson, but he didn’t fare much better.

Peterson walked Henry to give the Birds the lead, and Ty Morrison followed with a two-run single to make it a 5-2 lead. Chris Jacobs walked the Canaries fourth walk of the inning, to load the bases once again before Burt Reynolds knocked two more home with a two-run double.

In total, the Canaries totaled five runs on three hits and four walks in the top of the seventh, facing three different Saints’ pitchers.

St. Paul got two back on Anthony Gallas’ two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, but Nicco Blank retired the next three to end the eighth and Jose Ortega picked up his seventh save of the season in the ninth, retiring the Saints in order.

Woeck picks up the win for the Canaries, who move to 22-27 on the year. Creasy takes the loss for the Saints, who fall to 30-19 on the year.

The Canaries continue their seven-game road trip in St. Paul on Tuesday against the St. Paul Saints at CHS Field. RHP Miles Nordgren (2-3, 6.25) will take the hill for the Birds facing Saints’ RHP Benji Waite (2-1, 1.63 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 in St. Paul and you can tune into all the Canaries action on the road on KWSN 1230-AM, 98.1-FM.

The Birds will return to The Birdcage for a three-game set against the Fargo-Moorhead Hawks starting July 18 at 7:05 PM. For information on single-game tickets, contact the Canaries Ticket Office at (605) 336-6060 or visit sfcanaries.com for more information.